PARIS, Dec. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- French police smashed an alleged terrorism ring in a swoop Monday in the greater Paris region, arresting some 20 people, mainly Tunisian and Moroccan men.

    The arrests made on early Monday were part of an investigation into the funding of extremists, and investigators believe some ofthe detainees are active in organized crime and have carried out armed robberies to raise money for extremist groups, the officialssaid.

    Most of the suspects are Tunisian and Moroccan men aged between25 and 35, though some have French nationality, according to the police.

    The operation was carried out by members of the Domestic Intelligence Service (DST) acting under the instructions of Jean-Louis Bruguiere, France's leading anti-terrorist investigating magistrate.

    France stepped up level of anti-terrorist alert after the July suicide bombings in London, and government ministers have warned repeatedly that the country is seen as a target by extremist groups.

    The head of the French police service said last July that the Algerian Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), a movement linked to al-Qaida, might launch attacks in North Africa and France.

    However officials said there was no known link between Monday'sdetainees and the GSPC. Enditem